Finding the right remodel project planner is essential to your home renovation success. You may be able to design a few aspects and deal with some contractors, but it’s much better when one professional can handle everything. Afterward, you’ll need to have many discussions with this person and trust each other. Therefore, it’s time to learn the steps you should follow with these experts during your renovation.
1. Research Some Different Design Ideas With an Expert
The first thing you must do once you find the right remodel project planner is discuss all your home design ideas. You’ve probably seen several options and pictures online or in magazines, which prompted you to start renovating in the first place. You must consult with your planner to make them happen. However, it’s always recommended to maintain an open mind. You may prefer certain materials or styles, but consider your planner’s alternatives.
Remember that these professionals have tons of experience, so they know the latest trends and customers’ preferences. They also understand what kind of choices last forever and never lose value. You may be set on a particular layout for the kitchen or want a new addition, but your planner may have a better recommendation.
Furthermore, ask them about the latest technology. Consider better appliances and higher-quality materials. Some aspects of construction may have changed over the years to help people decrease their bills and maintenance repairs. Pick the most convenient things and try to avoid getting swayed by appearances.
2. Choose a Reputable Home Building Service
Once you discuss what you need with the remodel project planner and develop a design, you must find the right contractors for the job. A planner could suggest specific luxury home building services, but casting a wider net and searching for other options is a good idea. Start by listing the possible builders in your town who could complete the project to your specifications.
Your planner should help, so you can discard some and keep others after researching their previous work, client satisfaction, and how many years they’ve been in business. Some people even visit the sites a building company has created to check the craftsmanship for themselves. Others have talked to customers directly and asked about their experience. Remember never to disregard any company just because they’re too expensive or too cheap.
People starting their businesses sometimes need more time to gain enough clientele. However, you should also consider the expensive ones because they are probably the most sought-after builders in town. On the other hand, pricing is not the only thing you should think about while hiring. Look for quality in their work.
3. Work With a Plumber as Needed
Your renovation may not require changing the pipework or drains, but getting the contractors to check that system is a good idea. Hiring a local plumber before your remodel project planner schedules a construction start date would also be wise. He can examine the conditions of your current setup and suggest changes if needed.
Renovation means upgrading or updating what hasn’t been changed in a while. Replacing old pipes with newer alternatives may be smart. However, don’t jump the gun. Always talk to your planner, especially if you’re worried about your return on investment. If there’s nothing wrong, it’s better to leave the pipes and drains as they are.
However, an accident may occur during the construction project, requiring emergency plumbing. If you hire good contractors, they should fix it themselves, but you can also get a local plumber to help with the repair. Meanwhile, some people hire a plumber specifically to install toilets, bathtubs, etc. Building contractors should be able to do that, but many like having a specialized professional instead.
4. Look Into Different Flooring Options
Flooring is the next step you need to discuss with your remodel project planner. Some people don’t consider the floors during renovation, but you shouldn’t miss this chance. A carpet and flooring service could help you understand why installing another material is in your best interest. Varied tiles or hardwood alternatives could improve the final appearance, especially if you and your planner came up with a different style for the interior.
You must consider comfort, functionality, variety, and maintenance. Your planner will suggest durable materials, although they may urge you to pick the most luxurious choices. Consider as many as you can before settling on one. Try to carry samples, color swatches, and photos of the process to help with this choice.
Also, think about your family and what they would want or how you live your life. For example, adding carpets all over the house may not be in your best interest if you have young children and pets. People can spill drinks and food, and pets may have accidents while you’re potty training them. Think about the bigger picture, not just rely on costs for your final decision.
5. Decide What Kind of Flooring You Prefer
Once you’ve considered your household’s needs, what you want, and what your planner suggests, it’s time to choose your options. Hardwood flooring is a popular alternative because it’s timeless and doesn’t lose its value. It makes any room look elegant and luxurious. That’s why several cheaper materials try to imitate it. You can find it in different tones and styles, and the contractors can set each board in a varied pattern to make it more decorative.
Luxury vinyl flooring is another excellent choice and can look just as tasteful as hardwood, but it’s more affordable. It comes in many styles, such as wood or stone, and is water-resistant. Many people choose it as an alternative to tiles for their kitchens and bathrooms. Your remodel project planner should guide you toward the best option, especially if you have established a tight budget.
Laminate flooring is another fantastic material, and it’s also cheaper than hardwood, although it may look the same. It’s a much better option in terms of staining. Additionally, it can be placed over your existing floor, meaning you won’t even have to tear down anything. Tiles are used in kitchens and bathrooms worldwide because they’re easier to maintain and not as susceptible to water. You can buy them in almost any color, and they’re made from ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.
6. Hire Countertop Experts
Your remodel project planner will also suggest looking for and hiring the best countertop professionals in your area. Countertops are one of the most important aspects of the kitchen and many bathrooms. You need experts who can provide exceptional materials and perfect countertop installation no matter what you choose. There are several alternatives, but your final choice should be durable and match the design you came up with during your planning session.
A few options are expensive, especially when picking a natural stone. You just have to remember that any renovation is an investment and will affect your home value. A potential buyer may see marble countertops and fall in love immediately. Therefore, you must spend a significant amount of your budget on this part of your home.
That’s one of the many reasons you need experienced workers. They’ll measure everything correctly and have the equipment. They also work with companies that can perfectly cut each slab. Installing countertops properly means ensuring the support and leveling of each piece, which is hard for amateurs to achieve. A seasoned contractor won’t have any problem with that, as they can give all their clients high-quality results.
7. Replace Your Doors
You may be too focused on changing the style of your countertops or adding new hardwood floors to remember that doors are also essential in any house. If you’ve changed the interior too much, consider swapping the doors for more appropriate options. Each bedroom and bathroom door can be exchanged with a better-quality option that fits into the environment. However, remember the front door, which is the most critical one in the entire property.
Aside from providing protection, it’s a massive part of your house’s curb appeal. A remodel project planner can offer you several alternatives but consider a residential steel door. It’ll have a beautiful design, but it’s much stronger than most other options. Doors, especially if they’re made of wood, don’t last forever. Some get scratched, dirty, or dented over time, reducing your home’s market worth.
People also underestimate how much they look at doors in a house. Some decide not to replace their current ones but change them in other ways, such as painting them a different color or adding new types of doorknobs. However, it may be better to replace them if it’s within your renovation budget. You can choose from a large variety of models, such as French double doors, Dutch doors, stacker doors, sliding doors, etc.
8. Upgrade Your Garage
The garage is easily a house’s most overlooked and ignored area, but all homeowners should start taking advantage of this space. Aside from having an excellent storage place, you can create workstations, an office, and much more. For example, many people build a separate apartment over the garage for their in-laws, but you’ll have to discuss such a drastic change with your remodel project planner.
Adding a new garage door can save you several headaches because there’s nothing worse than seeing holes, cracks, or dents on the material when you arrive home. Furthermore, a different design will improve your property’s curb appeal. Most garage doors come in steel or aluminum, but you can choose wood when upgrading, mainly because this material can be customized easily.
Ask your remodel project planner about changing the opening system because newer technologies are often more energy-efficient, noiseless, and easier to handle. You can swap your garage door opener for a more useful option. Some tech setups don’t have the typical tiny remotes. Instead, you can download an app on your phone to activate the opening system from farther away.
9. Protect Your Home With an Alarm
You need a way to protect your home after a serious renovation. No one wants any incidents or possible robberies, and remember that remodeling is not just about making things prettier. Installing a new home alarm system is a brilliant choice, especially if it comes with more cameras and a decent app for your phone. The alarm should be loud enough to scare anyone away.
Sometimes, you don’t need police because the noise will be repellent enough. You just have to ensure no one can access your phone to get your details. More traditional security options will also work if you don’t want to handle anything on your phone. Meanwhile, consider other safety aspects, such as adding more lighting in darker areas. A well-lit home usually repels burglars because they have nowhere to hide.
You should also upgrade your locks, although that’s something you should’ve considered while replacing your doors. Some homeowners also invest in fencing with the right company. It’s easy to see fences are purely decorative features in a yard, but if you live in a more dangerous area, think about adding something sturdier. Cameras can be included over fencing if necessary.
10. Determine the Costs of Your Remodeling
The final step to discuss with your remodel project planner is the ultimate cost of everything you want to do. It wouldn’t be smart to start construction before setting up a realistic budget. Your planner should have a general idea of how much money you’ll spend, but they can investigate the actual prices with the previously mentioned companies and services.
Many people stop their renovation projects even before they start because they’re surprised by the costs. Renovating is expensive, but it’ll be worthwhile, primarily if you work with the best people. If you don’t have the cash required to complete what you want, you can start little by little, tackling each room or area as desired.
However, planning the entire project and hiring accordingly is often better. Therefore, think about getting home loans, which can be specifically for remodeling, or personal loans you can take from the bank. Just be careful and don’t get into deep debt during this process. Be practical and efficient during this renovation, and pay for everything on time.
Now that you understand the steps you should follow with a remodel project planner, it’s time to find the right one. You can ask them about the things you’ve learned thanks to this list and gauge the answers. Try to put them on the spot to see how they handle difficulties, too. Only the best planner will do!